Waymo bought Apple’s self-driving car proving ground for $220M

Waymo has made a significant move in the autonomous vehicle sector by acquiring a sprawling 5,500-acre testing ground in Arizona, previously owned by Route 14 Investment Partners LLC, a company linked to Apple. The acquisition, valued at $220 million, was recorded in documents filed with Maricopa County on June 5. Waymo has confirmed this purchase to TechCrunch, adding a crucial piece to its already extensive network of closed testing facilities. The newly acquired Arizona site is noteworthy for its size and capabilities, featuring a 115-acre city course, a 35-acre vehicle dynamics area, a four-mile oval track, and a specialized freeway course designed for autonomous vehicle evaluation. A spokesperson for Waymo stated that the facility will facilitate a variety of driving simulations in a controlled environment, aimed at enhancing the performance of its self-driving technology. This includes rider-only testing, motion control assessments, and operational training, with plans for future expansions. Originally bought by Apple in 2021 for $125 million after years of leasing it, the site had served as a testing ground for Fiat Chrysler, providing diverse road surfaces and a high-speed oval for vehicle testing, particularly in hot conditions. Apple utilized this facility for its ambitious car project, known as Project Titan, which ultimately ceased in early 2024 after substantial investments. The Phoenix Business Journal was among the first to report on this acquisition. As Waymo continues to expand its fleet—now close to 4,000 vehicles—the company recently introduced its new van model, manufactured by Zeekr. With ambitions to produce tens of thousands of robotaxis annually, Waymo is ramping up operations in Phoenix and Maricopa County. The company began its journey with autonomous vehicles in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler in 2017, and has since extended its reach to over ten U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, Austin, and Atlanta.